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Our Classes

All our classes have a small student to teacher ratio. Ensuring each student receives the attention they deserve and are able to fulfill their real potential.

Cycle 1 – 3 to 6 years of age

A Montessori Early Childhood program has many of the elements of any good Pre-school/Kindergarten including arts and crafts, music, movement, snack, outdoor playtime, and special holiday celebrations. In addition to these activities, Montessori schools have a basic core curriculum which can be organized around the following areas:

Practical Life

Sensorial

Math

Reading

Writing

Science & Geography.

Our teachers are educated in the Montessori Method of Education as developed by Dr. Maria Montessori.

Cycle 2 – 6 to 9 years of age

Students in Cycle 2 are in the developmental phase Maria Montessori called the age of ‘The Reasoning Mind’. Cycle 2 children commonly ask ‘Why?’ and this therefore directs the learning activities developed for the children in this age group.

Students are involved in more work as a small / class group and the class is more community-centred. This reflects the psychological development of this age group and their innate desire to interact more with their peers and explore social skills and dynamics. Specifically designed Montessori materials continue to play a large role in the Cycle 2 Montessori Classroom.

Developing competency in Literacy and Numeracy is essential. A large part of the Cycle 2 Curriculum is targeted towards repetition and practice of the core skills.

The skills of cursive handwriting are taught and students are encouraged to present their book work neatly and to use common layout conventions consistently. Music plays a big part in our day.

The child will begin to experience the importance of community through the structures and learning programs utilised in Cycle 2, for example

Students are supported in establishing appropriate time-management and organisational skills

There are whole class and small group activities

The child is expected to practise and complete all tasks introduced by the teacher

Students work in small ability groups using concrete materials as well as working in the abstract

Human relationships are a key focus in Cycle 2 and children are encouraged to discuss, practise and reflect on their interactions with peers, teachers, adults and parents.

Cycle 3 – 9 to 12 years

Children in Cycle 3 are in the developmental phase Maria Montessori called the age of ‘The Reasoning Mind’. Cycle 3 children commonly ask ‘How?’ and this therefore directs the learning activities developed for children in this age group.

The curriculum and methodology builds on the knowledge and skills established in the primary Cycle 2 class. Students are involved in more work as a small / class group and the class is more community centred. This reflects the psychological development of this age group and their innate desire to interact more with their peers and the exploration of social skills and dynamics. Students typically have a strong sense of justice and are therefore keenly involved in class meetings and contribute to planning activities.

Materials continue to be available to students in the Cycle 3 Montessori Classroom, although they are not used as frequently as they become more abstract in their thinking and turn more towards pencil and paper or technology to support their learning. Music is important to us and children will develop important musical skills with a variety of instruments available for them to choose from.

Expanding on and utilising students’ competency in Literacy and Numeracy is essential. Students further develop their skills by engaging in research, and literacy skills are developed through applied work utilising class and self-chosen research topics. Mathematical understanding is expanded through the specifically designed materials that demonstrate and develop conceptual understanding. This is linked to the application of these understandings.

Topics studied are often integrated and are designed to use and apply students’ understanding in a variety of ways. The development of conceptual understanding and the presentation of sequential information is supported by the use of scientifically designed educational materials.

The Cycle 3 students:

Have periods of self managed work each day

Utilise their planning and recording

Fulfil curriculum expectations and meet agreed deadlines

Are expected to carry out set work on time

Are expected to hand in work completed to the best standard they can achieve

Participate in class discussions and meetings

Are challenged to stretch their personal ‘comfort zone’

Students leave Cycle 3 with confidence and the ability to think independently. Academically, they often exceed the expectations for students beginning High School.